Trivia

[sabredance2]

Etta Barlow is a Cymbidium registration from 1958. Who was Etta Barlow?

[Murph]

I know Andy will be able to answer off the top of his head, but, I vaguely remember she was Sam Mosher’s mother.
Mosher was the successful and wealthy owner of Dos Pueblos Orchid Company in Goleta.
The DP cross was successful in both the show world and among commercial growers.

[sabredance2]

Murph, too good.

[Murph]

It was one of the greatest years in my working life, Andy had arranged for me to work at the Dos Pueblos nursery back in 1979.

Forever grateful!

[Murph]

So Sabre, where do you source these interesting bits of trivia and queries for your posts?

[sabredance2]

Sue and I did a considerable amount of research in putting together "The Orchidist". Unfortunately whole chapters didn't make the cut, Sue was far more ruthless than I. As far as Dos Pueblos is concerned, there is a book there that should be published, it would be a great read. To illustrate, what was so special about the drilling Sam Mosher implemented?

[Murph]

Drilling… Sam Mosher built a condenser to extract oil and gas from wells on Signal Hill. The wells were gushers and subsequently he set up the company Signal Oil. It was this income stream that enabled him to delve into his true love,the Orchid business .There are a few great articles and tributes on his life on the web.

If their lives had aligned better, Andy and Sam Mosher would have made a formidable pair. One with almost unlimited funds, and one with great ideas and vision.

I agree that Dos Pueblos would make a great read. The biggest and best nursery in its day, and the orchid registrations being a “who’s who” of many famous people of the times.

[Gary S]

Signal Hill Oil Fields in the 1920's.

Signal Hill Oil Fields 1920's.

[sabredance2]

Murph and Gary, all correct, but one important aspect is missing from the question I posed. What was special, or more specifically revolutionary about how Mosher drilled for oil?

[Gary S]

Some online research shows he developed a simple mechanism to condense wet gas and extract natural gasoline, rather than extract crude oil.

Had to have a look as I had no clue at all. But I love those old 1920's photos of the oil derricks littering the hills just inland from Long Beach.